A Catholic exorcist from Tennessee has sparked debate after suggesting that a forthcoming alien-themed film from Steven Spielberg could theoretically be "cursed" and spiritually harmful to viewers.
Fr. Dan Reehil, an exorcist and pastor serving in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Nashville, addressed the issue in a recent YouTube video following widespread discussion surrounding Spielberg's upcoming film Disclosure Day. Reports circulating online claimed the director suggested the movie could prompt audiences to reconsider their beliefs about God and religion, although Spielberg's original comments focused more broadly on the theological and philosophical implications of potential extraterrestrial disclosure.
Reacting to those reports, Reehil questioned why a filmmaker would intentionally create a project that could undermine religious faith.
"If the goal is to shake people's faith, that seems very much like something Satan would want," he argued.
The priest further speculated that films could, in theory, be dedicated to evil spiritual forces. While emphasizing that he had no evidence this occurred with Spielberg's movie, Reehil said it would be possible for a film to be "consecrated to Satan" and become associated with demonic influence.
According to Reehil, such a scenario could result in viewers experiencing increased fear, doubt, or spiritual confusion. He claimed that similar practices allegedly occurred within certain sectors of the music industry, citing stories he had heard from former priest John Corapi.
"The movie could be consecrated to Satan, and demons can be attached to the movie," Reehil said. "I'm not saying that's what was done, but it could be done."
His comments quickly gained traction online, with a clip attracting hundreds of thousands of views and generating significant criticism from both Catholics and non-Catholics.
Among those pushing back was Eric Sammons, editor-in-chief of Crisis Magazine, who argued that while many films may contain morally objectionable content, claims about cursed alien movies verge on superstition and resemble the "satanic panic" fears of previous decades.
Podcaster Steve Skojec similarly criticized the remarks, calling them unhelpful and damaging to public perceptions of Catholic reasoning.
Reehil also defended fellow exorcist Stephen J. Rossetti, who recently came under scrutiny after suggesting that many UFO sightings could actually involve demonic manifestations rather than extraterrestrial beings.
Rossetti had argued that demons may disguise themselves as aliens and that some unexplained aerial phenomena could have spiritual origins. Following controversy over those remarks, he was reportedly removed from his role with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington.
Reehil expressed surprise at that decision, describing Rossetti as a respected theologian and experienced exorcist. He argued that the idea of demons appearing in various forms does not contradict Catholic teaching, noting that Christian tradition has long held that demonic entities can deceive people through different manifestations.
The controversy reflects a growing intersection between discussions of UFOs, extraterrestrial life, and spiritual warfare within some Christian circles. While mainstream Christian denominations have generally avoided definitive conclusions about unidentified aerial phenomena, certain pastors, theologians, and exorcists have increasingly explored whether some reported encounters might be understood through a supernatural rather than extraterrestrial framework.
Spielberg's Disclosure Day has not yet been released, but the conversation surrounding the film is already highlighting broader questions about faith, culture, and how Christians interpret claims of alien life in an age of renewed public interest in UFOs.
